The Eridu Society is planning to return to Burning Man in 2013. We'll be creating a new installation that ties in with both the Cargo Cult theme and our camp's background. Through our art and interactions, we'll share the history of ancient Sumer and discuss the ideas of our ancient alien ancestry. These pages will be used to talk about our plans and to share our progress on the road to Black Rock City.

We are the original cargo cult, dating back thousands of years to ancient Sumer. The righteous ones (known as Anunnaki) established Eridu as the first city on Earth more than 70 centuries ago. Since they left us, we've traveled through time, space, and several of the better dimensions looking for signs. We believe they are returning to Earth, so we're embarking on an expedition to meet them in the Black Rock Desert. We'll build a ziggurat in their honor, and offer up tributes and gifts to visitors and converts while we await the return of the Anunnaki.

The main focus of our public space will be the climbable 4-tiered ziggurat (sort of like a stepped pyramid) facade. At the top will be a small altar and shade structure, which will also serve as an observation deck and place to relax. The front of each shade structure will feature 'light box' displays, where we'll showcase art representing the archeological finds from our travels and exploits. Out front, two small 8'x8' shade structures will serve to hold lighting gear (to illuminate the ziggurat at night), feature display cases to accommodate smaller art pieces, and act as a place for the occasional serving of food or drink.

Oh. Wait. There will be an estimated 10,000 Birgins next year, so you are good.

Nobody will miss a few dozen if they get sacrificed. (Wait. I am a Birgin! Rut-roh Raggy....)

Give me an underground laboratory, half a dozen atom-smashers, and a beautiful girl in a diaphanous veil waiting to be turned into a chimpanzee, and I care NOT who writes this nation’s laws. ... S.J. Perelman

Give me an underground laboratory, half a dozen atom-smashers, and a beautiful girl in a diaphanous veil waiting to be turned into a chimpanzee, and I care NOT who writes this nation’s laws. ... S.J. Perelman

Yes, the outside will be climbable, and the ziggurat facade will connect to a steel platform with shade and an altar (separate design project). Fishy won't be able to climb it, but we'll have stuff on the ground as well. Actually the vast majority of the art will be at ground level - we'll have a range of curiosities and works collected over the course of our travels (through time, space, and several of the better dimensions) on display in large wall units as well as interactive curio cabinets (which will also be under shade).

We've made some progress in the last few weeks. Here's a rendering of the camp frontage (bits in blue have yet to be design-finalized)…

Additionally, we've completed a scale model of the ziggurat. All the pieces fit

And most recently, we've completed a full scale sectional build. Huzzah!

We've also been updating bits and pieces on both the camp's Facebook page as well as the web site. I've also submitted our application to build a virtual exhibit that will prominently feature the ziggurat structure at the Second Life 10th birthday event that takes-place in June.

Design work continues, this latest render now shows the structure design for the curio carts, wall units, and altar atop the ziggurat.

Meanwhile we've started building the parts! Parts have been cut for curio carts, one of which will serve as a mobile workbench during construction. Parts are being sanded and finished now, here's a shot from a rough assembly of the unfinished parts…